What are PFAS and Should we be Concerned About Them?

Are you worried about ‘forever chemicals’ in your drinking water? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Growing awareness of the potential health and environmental risks associated with these substances has led to increasing concern about the quality of the water we drink every day. A new study has found that four in ten Australians are now more concerned about harmful substances in their drinking water than they were just five years ago. With water quality becoming an increasingly important issue for households, it’s understandable that more people are looking for ways to protect themselves and their families.

So, what exactly are ‘forever chemicals’?

Also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), ‘forever chemicals’ are a large family of man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of everyday products for decades. They can be found in items such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, food packaging and certain firefighting foams. Their popularity comes from their ability to resist heat, water, oil and grease. Even some cosmetic and sunscreen products contain them, so dealing with one concern (sun damage) is causing other concerns.

However, this resistance comes with a downside. PFAS are extremely persistent and do not break down easily in the natural environment. Once released, they can remain in soil and water for many years, potentially finding their way into the water supplies we rely on. This is why they have earned the name ‘forever chemicals’.

Why is this a concern?

The issue isn’t simply that these chemicals exist in the environment, but that exposure can build up over time. Some PFAS can accumulate in the human body, and research has linked exposure to certain types of PFAS with a range of potential health effects. These include changes in cholesterol levels, reduced immune responses to some vaccines, and increased risks of certain health conditions. The level of risk depends on factors such as the specific chemical, the amount of exposure and how long someone has been exposed.

The scale of exposure is also raising questions. A study published in 2025 reportedly found that at least three types of PFAS were present in blood samples from around 85% of the people tested, aged 12 and over. While the presence of PFAS in blood does not automatically mean someone will experience health problems, it highlights just how widespread exposure has become.

In an interview with nine.com.au Prof. Martyn Kirk from Australian National University said the following;

“Due to their extensive use, most Australians have PFAS detectable in their blood at low concentrations. I don’t believe that PFAS is an acute danger to health,” Kirk said. “There are definite concerns about the environmental persistence of these chemicals, along with uncertainty about the specific health effects.”

Because 'forever chemicals' are in so many of our everyday items and now even water supplies, it is difficult to avoid them. As these substances proving so difficult to eliminate from the environment, concerns about potential exposure through drinking water are understandable. Although water treatment processes can remove some contaminants, not all systems are equally effective at reducing PFAS.

How do PFAS end up in our drinking water?

One of the biggest challenges with PFAS is that they can enter the environment in several different ways. Industrial sites, manufacturing facilities, landfills and areas where firefighting foams have been used can all be potential sources of contamination. From there, PFAS can seep into the ground, enter groundwater or be carried into rivers, lakes and other sources of water used for drinking water supplies.

So, what can you do to help reduce potential exposure?

Some advice suggests washing fruit and veg before consuming it, but what about the PFAS in the water used in food preparation?

Understanding what may be present in your drinking water is a useful first step. For households concerned about PFAS and other unwanted contaminants, exploring suitable water filtration options may offer an additional layer of reassurance. The key is knowing which filtration systems are designed to reduce the specific substances you want to target.

Some options include; Reverse osmosis systems, activated carbon filters, ion exchange resin and multistage systems.

Most water filtration / treatment companies will advise that activated carbon is the solution but what most do not explain is the contact times required for 'effective' filtration. This could be anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes depending on a number of factors. Therefore, this 'required contact time' actually makes activated carbon unsuitable for treating your drinking water as the flow rate would have to be painfully slow. It is worth considering this when looking to treat your home supply. At Pozzani Australasia we would recommend an RO system as we believe it's the only properly acceptable solution for drinking water.

Some have dubbed PFAS as 'the-next-asbestos' so, are 'forever chemicals' something that you think about or are worried about? Do you already take steps to protect yourself and your family from them? Leave your thoughts and comments below.